Contest Entries

Ruins | Hope • Aim to Engage 2019

Johnson stares at the wreckage in the distance, a million thoughts running through his mind. Smoke pours out the tops of the surviving buildings, and everything is dark. A harsh clanging fills his ears.

Johnson's team of scientists predicted a future of prosperity and advancement with boundless optimism. This...is not what he expected.

"They were right," Johnson says, the words slipping from his mouth before he can catch them.

"What should we do?" Keyes, the youngest of their group, asks. The four others turn to Johnson, who is the reluctant leader of their team.

"We need to go," says Charlotte, "and warn the others."

"This is only twenty years in the future," Johnson murmurs.

Keyes looks horrified, as do the others. He moves for the Machine, but Johnson holds out a hand. "Wait."

Smith, another of their team of five, runs a hand through his hair. "We need to go," he says.

"Not yet," Johnson says sharply. "We should get a closer look."

"I can see enough from here," Smith says. He nudges Keyes away from the controls and starts setting up for a jump.

"Stay here," Johnson says, an urgency tugging at him, one he can't explain. "Keep it warm. I'll be back."

He reaches the city, white lab coat darkened from climbing through the ruins. Johnson walks down the seemingly deserted streets, the sky black from billows of smoke. A loud clanging comes from the buildings. Johnson turns a corner and comes to an abrupt halt.

A line of chained people parade past, an alien figure trailing behind them armed with some weapon. The humans' eyes are downcast and their bones push against grimy skin. The creature herds them into one of the buildings, and more appear, stretching on into the distance.

We're slaves, Johnson thinks, feeling sick.

"You shouldn't be here," a voice says.

He spins, tensed in fear, eyes landing on a hunched woman coming from the shadows. Her clothes are rags, her face smeared with soot.

"There's no hope here," she says.

"What do you mean?"

"You think I don't know how this came to be?" Her hand sweeps out to motion to the city. "Twenty years ago a team of scientists attempted to travel to the future. We caused this."

"What—"

"Go back to where you belong!"

Johnson's mind reels. We caused this?

The woman's eyes look familiar. Charlotte's eyes.

Johnson's shock renders him speechless.

Their interaction has attracted the attention of nearby alien creatures. A few start for Johnson, guns raised, growling.

"Charlotte—"

"Go!"

The aliens are closer now. Johnson ducks as a shot passes above his head. He stumbles through the city, sprinting when he passes the outskirts and reaches open space. The Machine is in the distance, his teammates waving. They're screaming at him as he draws nearer. He climbs into the machine, and Smith flicks the switch the moment the aliens fire.

Only when they're back in the present does Johnson finally breathe.

He doesn't know what comes next.